Some of Lasell's top student writers are rewarded each year for their creativity and hard work with the Fresh Thoughts, Braun, and Donatio writing competitions. Fresh Thoughts is a published collection of the top essays from Writing I. The Braun Writing Awards are given each year in conjunction with the Connected Learning Symposium through the support of Ruth Paetz Braun '54. The Donatio Writing Awards are given annually to first-year student writers to honor former Lasell Professor Diane Donatio.